Response to Facebook posts by Friends.
JUST the facts, if people believe in them, anyhow. <>In 2021, the number of illegals (unauthorized immigrants) in the U.S. per official records was 11 million; in 2024, 14.8 million. Pew Research data: 8.3 million in 2021; in 2024, other data says 11.4 million. Numbers vary a lot based on source. Yet clearly, the number of unauthorized immigrants significantly increased in Joe Biden's time.
<>Mr Biden ended the Merida Initiative in 2021. This agreement. (mainly funded by Washington) which started in 2007 between the United States and Central America was meant to curb drug smuggling and human trafficking to the U.S. <>With Merida as partly his weapon, Barack Obama deported an average of 400,000 in his first 4 years, the current record (beyond 1954's Operation Wetback).
<>As Joe let in a record number of migrants (in some point, 4,000 to 6,000 a day), he also sent back home over 300,000 in his last year, 2024. <>So far, Donald Trump has sent 107,000--focusing on (like Mr Obama did) those who have criminal records, no kin or adapting family here, not taken in by churches or NGOs, or didn't qualify for asylum (the program has exceeded quota for years now).
<>50 percent to 70 percent of U.S. farmworkers are illegals. (Think as well of factory workers etc.) But they are grossly underpaid, work long hours (including children and elderly), no benefits, housed in unlivable trailer homes, no protection when calamities hit (of course, they are not counted). Those who are let in (per above) get 3 different kinds of "papers" to be able to work while awaiting legalization.
<>Because of the laxity in border controls in the last 4 years, the southern border was a mess. The Triad crime organization in Asia and traffickers mostly in Eastern Europe and other criminal elements elsewhere hooked up with Mexican cartels in the facilitation of migrants to the U.S. Obvious reasons, obvious intent. <>This immigration issue is long but the issue has to be discussed beyond partisanship zeal and anti-Trump fervor. π½π♀️π
AND More Day’s Politics and Stuff.
THE way I look at these things. <>President Trump is negotiating for the end of (Ukraine) war so he can seal the "rare earth" etcetera trade with Mr Zelensky per all the U.S. arms aid since 2022. Mr Trump seems like holding the billions$ package okayed by Congress last year. <>I believe Vlad Putin also wants to end this war; military expenses start to negate the oil revenue. <>But the EU and NATO ain't stopping the war. They want to keep it going, put more money on "Defense" in deference to their economic problem and internal issues (such as "return" of the migrant issue).
<>So Mr Putin to the EU: Wanna fight, let's go fight more. Trump to EU/NATO: Wanna fight more? Go spend your own money. Wanna buy more arms? We are selling more. LOL! <>But of course The D wants to end this war shenanigan so he can continue his plans in new Syria, Afghanistan, + deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Arab League, haggling and hawing with China, and there's more in Asia (Vietnam, Japan, SK, Taiwan, India, Indonesia etc).
<>So to pressure the EU on Ukraine, here are tariffs for you to swallow! Of course, China also wants to end this war. The EU needs China for obvious reasons. If Europe continues to focus on war rather than its collective economy, China can squeeze them thin (huge trade deficit). <>Sadly, Europe believes this is still 16th century and the British East India Company still rules the trade roost and Russia is old Singapore. ☮️☮️☮️